Holy Spirit Make Me New

May we really desire that these words are true in our lives, souls, and hearts.

Unfailing Love

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love. We love because he loved us first. 1 John 4:18-19

 

Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins.

^{1 Peter 4:8}

 Definition: Love, whether used of God or man, is an earnest and anxious desire for and an active and beneficent interest ins the well-being of the one loved.

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. 

It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad

 about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, 

hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. 

                                                              1 Corinthians 13:4-8

But “when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7

 Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another. Romans 12:9-10

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 

1 Corinthians 13:1-3, ESV

The love of God is ridiculous in the eyes of men. It does not make sense. It goes outside of human logic and feeling, but it is so good, so amazing, so pure, so unconditional, so deserving of our gratitude and thankfulness. When I get just a taste of God's love, I desire to love in return. It is a compelling force that spurs one on to live for the Lord and love others. I challenge you to dig deep and dive into the love of God. It is intense and amazing. It should change us forever!

Lessons From Exodus

When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord. (Exodus 14:10, ESV)

I came across this yesterday. This verse struck me in a new and different way. The Israelites had just left Egypt where they had been enslaved, abused, and misused.  They had a terrible life of extremely hard labor forced on them by a cruel Pharaoh. They had been in bondage to a nation who didn't care about their well being. Their right to practice their religious traditions had been taken away. The Lord had just delivered them from this plight. He had shown them His power with 9 terribly powerful plagues, the last taking many lives of the Egyptians first born children. He had spared the lives of those who had obeyed the command to apply the blood of a lamb to their door post. Now He was guiding them through the wilderness with a pillar of smoke by day and one of fire by night. Hear that? A pillar of fire!!! 

After all of these amazing acts of God's power, and midst His presence, the Israelites see mere men as reasons to fear. The sight of the Egyptian army coming gave them reason to complain against Moses and God Himself. As I read this, I asked the question: Why? Why would they so quickly take their eyes off the Lord and His provision of deliverance and promised safety? What could make the people who were in the visual presence of God begin to shake and tremble with fear? How does this happen? But then I took a glance at my own heart. I too have been guilty of this very thing. The Lord has promised to be with us. He is faithful. He has proven it over and over again. I can read the history of Israel and see it for myself. He always provided for them. He was constantly showing His mercy and grace. 

And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:13-14, ESV)

So as the people are getting all freaked out about their situation, Moses responds to them. He has his eyes on the Lord no doubt. They just needed to shut their mouths and watch the Lord work. He would deliver them. He had already promised to do so over 400 years ago. Moses obviously knew the Lord and trusted Him at His word. Oh, what a convicted heart I have. I confess to doubting this so often. It is sad to admit that my heart often questions whether the Lord really will do what He says. It isn't an open, rebellious questioning, more of a sub conscious doubting. It comes out in my responses to trials and difficult circumstances. It comes out in discontentment and complaints. These are accompanied with thoughts of worry and fear, instead of trusting the Lord has His reasons and purpose behind what is happening in my life. 

The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” (Exodus 14:15-18, ESV)

I love reading this part. It takes the focus off of me and puts it back on the Lord. Why does He allow such things to happen? The Israelites where backed into a corner. This was it, or so they thought. All they could see was imminent danger and doom. To the people this was an unnecessary end. Why would the Lord have brought them all this way just to die by the Egyptian sword? Clearly God had no intention to let His people die. He did however want their trust. He also wanted the glory. The Lord wants our attention and worship to be on Him. He is not willing to share the spot light. Even the Egyptians would have to acknowledge that the God of the Israelites is Lord. Can you imagine? You are in a situation where there is no way out. It is hopeless and helpless. Or so it seems. Then the impossible happens. The Lord delivers to complete safety. Who gets the glory? Only the Lord can. There is nothing that any one of those people could lay claim to. They had no power, no bragging rights. The Lord received all of the glory. Rightly so! 

Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses. (Exodus 14:30-31, ESV) 

Oh Father, please help me to take these things to heart.  I desire to trust you in everything. In times of struggle and great trial, help me to turn my eyes to you. Help me to be silent and wait for your deliverance. May I believe you and take you at your word.  Lord help me to see you for who you are. Thank you for drawing us to yourself. Thank you for proving yourself over and over. You are great and greatly to be praised.

Amen